According to the NIH Consensus Statement on Acupuncture, Volume 15, Number 5, November 3-5, 1997 (available on the world wide web at http://odp.od.nih.gov/consensus/cons/107/107_statement.htm ), acupuncture focuses on a holistic, energy based approach to the patient rather than on a disease oriented diagnosis and treatment model. Mechanisms that provide a Western scientific explanation for some of the effects of acupuncture are beginning to emerge. This is encouraging and may provide novel insights into neural, endocrine, and other physiological processes. Acupuncture practice is based on a very different model of energy balance. (Acupuncture. NIH Consens Statement 1997 Nov 3-5; 15(5): 1-34.)

Medical Acupuncture involves a consultation with a medical doctor to review medical records, take a medical history, perform an examination, review lab tests and x-rays, and determine if acupuncture is an appropriate course of action. Medical acupuncture is a limited series of 10 sessions, each session is performed by a medical doctor, each of which consists of testing the meridians of the body, and treating those meridians that are out of balance, with the goal of balancing the body’s energy and energizing the body’s healing forces. Acupuncture is a safe, effective treatment for many painful conditions.

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Acupuncture is a component of the health care system of China that can be traced back for at least 2500 years. The general theory of acupuncture is based on the premise that there are patterns of energy flow through the body that are essential for health. Disruptions of this flow are believed to be responsible for disease. Acupuncture may correct imbalances of flow at identifiable points close to the skin. (Acupuncture. NIH Consens Statement 1997 Nov 3-5; 15(5): 1-34.)

Acupuncture has been used by millions of American patients and performed by thousands of physicians, dentists, acupuncturists, and other practitioners for relief or prevention of pain and for a variety of health conditions. (Acupuncture. NIH Consens Statement 1997 Nov 3-5; 15(5): 1-34.)

One of the advantages of acupuncture is that the incidence of adverse effects is substantially lower than that of may drugs or other accepted medical procedures used for the same conditions. As an example, musculoskeletal conditions such as fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, and tennis elbow, or epicondylitis are conditions for which acupuncture may be beneficial. These painful conditions are often treated with, among other things, anti-inflammatory medications (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.) or with steroid injections. Both medical interventions have a potential for deleterious side effects but are still widely used and are considered acceptable treatments. The evidence supporting these therapies is no better than that for acupuncture. (Acupuncture. NIH Consens Statement 1997 Nov 3-5; 15(5): 1-34.)

Acupuncture can cause multiple biological responses. These responses can occur locally or at a distance, mediated mainly by sensory neurons to many structures within the central nervous system. This can lead to activation of pathways affecting various physiological systems in the brain as well as in the periphery. A focus of attention has been on the role of endogenous opiods in acupuncture analgesia. Considerable evidence supports the claim that opiod peptides are released during acupuncture and that the analgesic effects of acupuncture are at least partially explained by their actions. That opiod antagonists such as naloxone revere the analgesic effects of acupuncture further strengthens this hypothesis. Stimulation by acupuncture may also activate the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, resulting in a broad spectrum of systemic effects. Alteration in the secretion of neurotransmitters and neurohormones and changes in the regulation of blood flow, both centrally and peripherally have been documented. There is also evidence of alterations in immune functions produced by acupuncture. (Acupuncture. NIH Consens Statement 1997 Nov 3-5; 15(5): 1-34.)

There is traditional acupuncture, auricular therapy, and MRA (Meridian Regulatory Acupuncture).

Meridian Regulatory Acupuncture (MRA) is the type of Acupuncture practiced by Dr. Phelps

MRA is the method of acupuncture devised by Dr. Lupo T. Carlota, MD, Dip. Ac. over 29 years ago.

MRA acupuncture is a simplified, highly refined, scientific system of acupuncture therapy that was developed for western trained physicians.

MRA is simplified because it utilizes only 64 acupuncture points as opposed to the over 1000 acupuncture points used in traditional acupuncture. MRI uses only one hair thin needle as opposed to many needles in traditional acupuncture.

MRA is scientific in that it’s methods are measurable, reproducible, predictable, and verifiable.

MRA is based on scientific theory (Quantum Theory of Acupuncture) and employs advanced technology (the Ultramatic Unit)

MRA postulates that the living body is a bioelectrical unit, and that the body has a bioelectrical system called the Bioplasmic System. The Bioplasmic system sub serves every chemical, physical, and psychological interaction in the body. It is this system through which MRA works, ultimately by releasing endorphins. The meridians are the channels through which the Bioplasmic System is accessed. Acupuncture points are the points at which the meridians are accessed. Treatments consist of balancing the meridians.

What is the goal of MRA?

Initially, there is a consultation, during which time medical records are reviewed, a history is taken, an examination is performed, and tests are reviewed. At this initial consultation a determination is made of whether or not acupuncture is an appropriate treatment.

If after an initial consultation MRA is thought to be an appropriate treatment, there is a 10 session treatment course, with a morning and afternoon session, for 5 days. Each session consists of measuring the status of each of the body’s meridians, determining which meridians need balancing (bioelectrically), then balancing the meridians which need balancing (inputting the correct amount of electric energy). Usually the effect of treatment can be felt by the end of the 10 treatment course. Medications are not used. After the 10th session, treatment is complete. The patient is returned to their primary care physician for ongoing health maintenance.

The occurrence of adverse events in the practice of acupuncture has been documented to be extremely low,. However, these events have occurred on rare occasions, some of which are life-threatening (e.g., pneumothorax). Therefore appropriate safeguards for the protection of patients and consumers need to be in place. Patients should be fully informed of their treatment options, expected prognosis, relative risk and safety practices. Use of acupuncture needles should always follow FDA regulations. (Acupuncture. NIH Consens Statement 1997 Nov 3-5; 15(5): 1-34.)

There are other situations such as addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma for which acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct to treatment, or an acceptable alternative, or be included in a comprehensive management program.

Findings from basic research have begun to elucidate the mechanisms of action of acupuncture, including the release of opiods and other peptides in the central nervous system and the periphery and changes in neuroendocrine function.

There is sufficient evidence of acupuncture’s value to expand its use into conventional medicine and to encourage further studies of its physiology and clinical value. (Acupuncture. NIH Consens Statement 1997 Nov 3-5; 15(5): 1-34.)